Valley elf
| Valley Elf | |
|---|---|
 A valley elf, as depicted in Living Greyhawk Journal #2 (2000). Art by Sam Wood. | |
| General information | |
| Alignment: | Chaotic Neutral |
| Type: | Humanoid |
| Subtype: | Elf |
Valley elves are an unusual elven subrace that are seldom seen outside the Valley of the Mage.
Ecology
Valley elves are distrustful of outsiders, to the point of xenophobia. With the sole exception of snow elves[1], valley elves are despised by all other elven subraces, including the drow. The reason for such antipathy is uncertain, but some have speculated that it was because they sold their loyalty to a powerful master in exchange for extraplanar knowledge.
Despite their xenophobia, valley elves work closely with the gnomes and humans of the Vale of the Mage to be in defense of their mutual home.
Most needs of the valley elves are provided by the Mage of the Valley. Foraging makes up for the rest.
Environment
Valley elves are native to the Valley of the Mage.
Origin
Were Oerth truly the elven homeland, then these two variants would be found outside it. Perhaps the true birthplace of the elves is lost in the shadows of time, or perhaps it was destroyed during the great Elfwar. Whatever the case, it is likely that Oerth is not the origin planet. [2]
Typical physical characteristics
Taller than most other elves, valley elves are comparable to humans in height. Their builds are slender, with sharp, angular features. During the summer months, the hair of a typical valley elf is pale yellow, but by winter will darken to a rich gold.
Valley elves favor loose and flowing garments in hues of blue and green.
Finally, the valley elves appear to be taller versions (of nearly human height) of the gray elves. [3]
Alignment
Valley elves are usually chaotic neutral.
Society
In contrast to other elven subraces, valley elves craft few items.
Valley elves are well-known for breeding and working with cooshees, their green-furred "elven dogs."
Valley elves are unique in that they have no social relationship with other elves in the Flanaess, being hated by them for unknown reasons. [3] Knights of the Watch Bissel—whisper that valley elves, disguised as humans, spy on or steal from certain towns. CY 591 [4] Curiously, the knights do not see the Valley of the Mage as a major problem area, despite periodic raids by valley elves on nearby lands. CY 591. [5]
Religion
Valley elves, along with the gnomes of the Vale, worship Ehlonna (WG12.11). They do not, however, worship the Seldarine, who are said to have rejected the valley elves. [6]
Language
Valley elves speak Elven, Gnomish, and Common, but with an unusual accent.
History
Valley elves are thought to be an offshoot of the gray (S4, Dragon #67), or possibly high elven race (WG12.11). They are thought to have dwelled in the Javan Vale as far back as circa -14,400 CY (WG12.11). At some point, the valley elves established their own kingdom, which was founded "before the first Grand Duke reigned in Geoff," and prior to the rise of Keoland.[6] Valley elves are suspected of having stolen the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar in 219 CY. During the 16th Procession of Blessing, the artifacts were brought out of the Mosque of Al'Akbar in Ekbir by the grand mufti, as was established tradition. Immediately, the procession was assaulted by "strange elves as tall as men," who absconded with the items. The elves evaded chase upon giant eagles, flying over the Plains of the Ulakandar toward the Barrier Peaks (LGG.43). The motivations of the elves in this event are unknown.
Shortly after the turn of the sixth century CY, king of the valley elves and his entire house arrived at the Palace of the Grand Duke in Gorna. The valley elf king left several items with the Grand Duke, along with information to be passed to his heir. The elven king and his retinue then departed into the Crystalmists, nevermore to be seen.[6]
A number of decades later, Jaran Krimeeah, an exiled mage from the Great Kingdom, came to the Vale. Within a year, Krimeeah had won the favor of the elves. The valley elves willingly submitted to his rule, referring to Krimeeah as the "Exalted One" (WG12.5).
"Javan Vale-Valley of the Mage has always been avoided by the common folk of nearby lands. Even in ancient times, it was felt to be dominated by an awful and foreboding presence. The valley was the habitation of a strange race of olve, who viewed all other elves with disdain. The valley elves were once ruled by a king of their race who held his authority under the guise of a transcendent calling, though no deity was ever evoked by name. The valley elves were equally aloof in their relationship to the natural world, and they felt no reverence for the mysteries of faerie. All other elves abhor the valley elves, claiming they are not true elves at all, and shun them utterly.
The valley elves were rejected not only by all other olvenfolk, but also by the gods of their race. No outsider has ever discovered the cause of this divine renunciation, and the elves will not speak of it. The drow hint that the valley elves allowed themselves to be bound in servitude to a powerful master, in exchange for knowledge from beyond the known planes. For this the drow despise them, saying that they were made slaves to a lie, while the drow believe that lies should be used only to enslave others. Regardless of the cause, the rift between the valley elves and their kindred is thought to date back to their earliest appearance on Oerth.
The valley elves were not completely friendless, however. They formed a partnership with gnome traders that allowed them access to markets as far away as the Pomarj and the Nyr Dyv. Gnomes lived as citizens of the valley kingdom even before the first grand duke reigned in Geoff. By the time the Keoish built their empire, humans from the lands west of the Barrier Peaks had immigrated to the Javan Vale. They were allowed to form their own small communities, under a human earl who ruled in the name of the valley elf king. They were expected to learn the elves' language, but the combined influence of humans and gnomes in the vale soon made Common the language of daily use. [6]
Few beyond the neighboring countries were aware of the hidden valley kingdom in the Barrier Peaks. The Grand Duchy of Geoff had the most regular relations with the court of the valley elf king, though merchants from Bissel and Ket quietly maintained contact with the gnome traders who served the king. When Geoff had its brief conflict with Keoland in the middle of the last century, the valley elves were said to have helped the grand duke's cause by providing information on Keoish tactics and resources. This relationship seems to have persisted until at least the end of the last century, despite vigorous and heated protests by the High Lord of Elvendom at Hocholve.
The most notable encounter with the valley elves occurred shortly after the turn of this century, when the elven king arrived unexpectedly at the grand duke's castle in Gorna. The king brought his entire royal house into the country, unchallenged by either the duke's forces or the elves of eastern Geoff. The valley elf king and his retinue were allowed to enter the city, and the king was granted a private audience with the grand duke. The following dawn, the king and his retinue departed, and the host of valley elves was observed traveling southward into the Crystalmists, never to be seen again. The grand duke was left with an oaken chest, several scrolls, and the final words of the valley elf king, which he revealed only to his heir."[6]
Bands of these elves have raided into Bissel, Gran March, Ket, and the Grand Duchy of Geoff, probably at the behest of their liege. Dragon #67 pg 11.
Creative origins
The valley elf was created by Gary Gygax
Publishing history
The valley elf was first described in the monster booklet in The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth in 1982, and appeared later that same year in Dragon #67. The subrace was detailed further in the Monster Manual II in 1983.
Valley elf culture and society received a fuller treatment in 1990's Vale of the Mage, and the creature made its third edition debut in Living Greyhawk Journal #2 (2000).
Valley elves in other media
Dragon #72 featured lyrics to a song ttitled "Valley Elf," a parody of Frank and Moon Unit Zappa's "Valley Girl" as part of its annual April Fool's tradition.
See also
Gallery
-
The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth -
Dragon #67 -
Monsterous Compendium, MC5 -
References
Citations
- ↑ Reimer, David. In the Frost and Snow. Dragon #155. 1990. p26-27
- ↑ McComb, Colin. “Chapter Two: Variations on a Theme., Elves of the Worlds” Complete Book of Elves, Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992, p.26.
- ↑ a b Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. p8
- ↑ Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.pg 33
- ↑ Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. pg 160
- ↑ a b c d e Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. p.127
Bibliography
- Gygax, Gary. "Featured Creatures." Dragon #67. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
- ———. The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
- ———. Monster Manual II. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- McComb, Colin. The Complete Book of Elves. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
- Rabe, Jean. Vale of the Mage. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.
- Reimer, David S. "In the Frost and the Snow." Dragon #155. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990. Available online:[1]
- Reynolds, Sean K. "Enchiridion of the Fiend-Sage." Living Greyhawk Journal #2. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Sargent, Carl. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. PDF by William Allman with maps. Original RTF archived:Wizards.com. WGR7 or WGRx
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elf, Valley | Monster | Reference | SEE Valley Elf | |
| Elspeth | Non-player character | Elf, valley, [T8], | Greyhawk Adventures | 110, 111 |
| Karmyn | Non-player character | Elf, valley, [M14], | WG10 Child's Play | 3, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22, 27, 28, 32 |
| Lemin Kainin | Non-player character | Elf, valley, | Greyhawk Adventures | 110 |
| Sharlene | Non-player character | Elf, valley, [T8], | Greyhawk Adventures | 110, 111 |
| Summerstorm Nightwind | Non-player character | Male, Elf, valley, [C8], | WG12 Vale of the Mage | 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, 30, 38, 46, 47, 51, 55 |